Standing inside their doorway, him dressed in stoicism and a stained white tee, her draped in demureness and a cheerful pink sari, they invited us into their home. It was the first time I've ever been invited straight to someone's bedroom the moment I entered their house.
Then again, their almost two-room house would fit compactly inside my youngest son's bedroom, and it was the only place that could accommodate seating for the five in our group.
After spending the morning first being entertained by children in a local Compassion International Child Development Sponsor Program, then playing with them, we visited families and children in their nearby homes, to learn from them how Compassion has impacted their lives. First was little Johnson's family.
If I was a friend to Compassion before this trip, I'm an outright zealot for them now. Sponsoring a child doesn't just benefit him or her, it helps the entire family; as my friend and trip leader Spence suggests, "by relieving the burden of one, you relieve burden for all".
Hesitant at first, our hosts slowly warmed up to us. The question was asked "How has Compassion impacted not just your son's life, but your entire family's?" and Johnson's parents told us about the material things Compassion had provided through the years: a colorful cabinet; a pitcher, bowl and pot for cooking; a table fan.
These are their most prized possessions.
When I asked if we could photograph those special things, I sensed a change in the atmosphere; maybe I was just imagining it, but I saw a sweet pride swell in Johnson's mother as she located a set of keys, stooped to the bottom door of the cabinet, unlocked it and carefully shifted its contents until she pulled out the wrapped pitcher and bowl. She unwrapped them, placing them on the children's bed, which had previously been our chair and was now serving as her table.
The most beautiful moment of our visit, the one that wrapped its fingers around my heart and clinched it tight, was when this precious lady offered us tea. There was simply no way we could accept it, knowing the havoc it would wreak on our digestive system; before we could answer, our interpreter quickly explained that as Americans, our stomachs weren't accustomed to the water. I think she probably knew this, she knew we'd decline, and yet she still offered.
Her gracious intention when she had next to nothing to give is a gift I'll carry much longer than a cup of tea.
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Both sponsored children we visited commented how much they liked receiving letters from their sponsors; the parents shared how Compassion provides for physical, medical and spiritual needs. Should you decide to sponsor a child I assure you, you're elevating his family's standard of living, putting food in his mouth, cultivating confidence and providing basic material needs. You'll be the reason he has a chance of being released from the clutches of poverty….
I’m so blessed to be on this trip with you through the computer!
This is beautiful, Robin – hope you got some rest last night…we’re praying for y’all!
🙂 lovely
Thank you for sharing, beautiful as usual 🙂
Praying for you girl. Love these pictures. I love the pride she shows in her picture. Thank you.
One of the kids we sponsor is a little girl in India. Thank you so much for this description – it helps me imagine what an amazing experience it would be to visit her. And if encourages me to know that our sponsorship really makes a difference in her life and her family.
You are touching lives here and there! Selfishly anticipating your next update.
I’m going to echo Headless Mom, it is a blessing to follow you on this trip. Great picture, you can see her pride showing off her good pots. Blessings and continued prayers as the trip goes on!
I LOVE reading this. I love knowing that our sponsorship truly does make a difference!
Praying for you.
My heart leaps out of my chest when I read a post like this.
No words.
Just thank you, and wow.
You DO realize how much better it makes it for me, too, that you (and so
many others) are “with” me?? It’d be much lonelier without you! 🙂
Absolutely beautiful.
Robin, you share it so well. We are praying for you all. Thank you for visiting and sharing with us here. Please give the children lots of hugs. God Bless.
I love reading about these experiences. Thanks for sharing. I know this experience will change your life.
Wow. What a beautiful HOME you’ve shown us. I had a similar experience in Honduras, where we met a family that my family had supported for several years. In addition to offering a friend and me the only bed in their 3 “room” dirt-floored lean-to home (leaving the 5 of them to sleep on assorted hammocks and pallets on the DIRT floor), the mother showed me a beautiful little porcelain box, telling me it was her most treasured possession. She was so proud of her one beautiful thing, which she proceeded to GIVE TO ME. I was blown away. Am still blown away. She would not let me leave without taking it, and I still have it in my jewelry box today. It is now perhaps my most treasured possession. Her one simple (and yet not) act revealed a Christ-likeness that I am still striving toward. Blessings to you as your world is totally rocked.
Beautifully written. Thank you for bringing sponsorship alive!
shivers…
God bless you for going and sharing with us Robin!
Robin,
I’m so glad you got to go on this trip. Your description of the little house brought back memories of similar houses — and similar gracious hosts– that I visited in the DR. We are so spoiled here in America, and take so much for granted.
Thank you for writing about this for us. Compassion truly does amazing work.
Hugs
Mary
I know — the hospitality from people who have so little to give is amazing.
Echoing everyone else…beautifully written and still praying for you. 🙂
I pray for you each night…
Marvel at the words and stories He’s given, you, ink in His hand.
Ink that changes the world — ours and theirs…
All my love, Robin…
All’s grace,
Ann
I’ve bookmarked a ton of posts this week, waiting for a free moment to go back and comment.
This is one of them. It moved me GREATLY, Robin. I’m following your trip (and the other bloggers) with such a fervent passion. And I’m so humbled to hear, again and again, how much these kids (and their families) esteem the relationship they build with their sponsors. It blows me away.
I’ve not been to India but I experienced this kind of generosity from those who can scarcely afford it when I lived in Guatemala at the end of my oldest daughter’s adoption. It completely restores my faith that people are basically good and wonderful and it humbles me beyond words. Your trip sounds like an amazing, life changing experience.
HEY ROBIN HOW YOU DOING? REMEMBER ME? MARY!! WE HAD DINNER TOGETHER AT CHARCOAL RESTURANT. I BELONG TO COMPASSION AND HAD CUM WID 2 MORE GIRLS…. IT WAS NICE MEETING YOU.. YOUR POSTINGS ARE AWESOME… MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU CARRY ON YOUR WRITINGS WITH FRAMING OUR COMPASSION IN A CLEAR WAY….CONVEY MY LOVE TO YOUR KIDS…AND TO THE OTHER TEAM MEMBER ALSO….( YOUR PICTURES ARE REALLY VERY BEAUTIFUL )
WILL WRITE TO YOU SOON…
KEEP IN TOUCH…MY MAIL ID IS angel_4jesus2006@yahoo.co.in..
lots of love
mary..
Having viewed both “Pride” and “Bride ” , for brilliant color . frivolity and acting,I much prefer Bride and Prejudice.